The General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) in Saudi Arabia has issued important clarifications regarding the procedures for dealing with subscribers subject to the social insurance system when they are assigned to work duties outside the country. This clarification comes as part of GOSI's commitment to regulating the insurance relationship between employers and employees, and ensuring a clear understanding of the financial rights and obligations of both parties during periods of overseas employment.
Occupational hazards subscription status for those sent abroad
The Authority confirmed that an employee covered by the Occupational Hazards branch who is sent on official business outside the Kingdom on behalf of their employer, or who is granted study leave abroad, will have their insurance status changed in this specific branch. The regulations stipulate that coverage in the Occupational Hazards branch will be suspended , thus exempting the employer from paying the prescribed contribution rate of (2%) for this branch.
This suspension takes effect from the first day of the month following the date of the subscriber's departure and continues for the duration of their absence abroad. Payment obligations and insurance coverage for this branch will resume from the first day of the month the employee returns to the Kingdom. This procedure reflects the geographical nature of occupational risk coverage, which is typically linked to occupational safety and health standards regulated by local authorities.
Categories exempt from subscription suspension
Despite the general rule mentioned above, the Social Insurance Authority clarified that there are necessary exceptions dictated by the nature of work in some vital sectors, where the following categories continue to be covered by the occupational hazards branch even while they are outside the Kingdom:
- Saudi flight crews: They remain subject to the system while on board aircraft or during their travel from airports to their places of residence and vice versa in the countries where their flights land.
- Crews of land and sea transport vehicles: The system includes them during international trips or during their movement at arrival stations outside the Kingdom.
Optional subscription and its role in insurance protection
In a related context, and to ensure continued insurance coverage for Saudi citizens working abroad or not subject to mandatory coverage, the social insurance system has introduced "voluntary participation" in the pensions branch. This system provides a safety net that guarantees the participant and their family a future retirement pension.
The optional subscription targets the following groups:
- Workers outside the Kingdom who do not have an employment relationship with an establishment headquartered within Saudi Arabia.
- Self-employed professionals and craftsmen who work for themselves under official licenses.
- Saudis working in foreign international, political and military missions within the Kingdom who are not subject to the system compulsorily.
- Those whose mandatory subscription has stopped and who wish to complete their subscription periods to ensure their entitlement to a pension.
This regulation is an essential part of the Kingdom’s efforts to promote job and social stability, as these regulations contribute to accurately defining the financial responsibilities of employers and provide flexible options for citizens to secure their financial future regardless of where they work.
